On the drive home late Monday night, Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak said he came across a number of fans, honking their horns and “running around” after another dramatic overtime win. There was one fan he did not get to see, though.

“I haven't met Dart Guy yet,” Bozak said with a smile on Tuesday. “I've seen a lot of pictures of him, and a lot of stuff on social media about him, but I haven't met him.”

Dart Guy has become hard to miss. Jason Maslakow, the man behind the face paint and cigarette, was a celebrity guest at Air Canada Centre on Monday night, as the Leafs earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series.

He was in Maple Leaf Square before the game, sitting for an interview with TSN host James Duthie at one moment, then posing with fans jostling for a selfie the next. A Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment official was on hand to help shepherd him to his various appointments.

“It's funny — it's the smallest little things that become huge,” Bozak said with a smile. “Just the right place at the right time. It's funny. I know everyone's running away with it, and it's a cool little thing to have.”

Leafs forward William Nylander said he also has yet to meet Dart Guy, but that he supports the grassroots campaign to make him an unofficial playoff mascot: “It's pretty cool to have a guy like that.”

“It's awesome,” Hyman said. “He made the trip to Washington. So good for him, supporting us all the way out there.”

Hyman grew up in Toronto, giving him a grounded perspective in what a 2-1 series lead means to fans who have gone so long without success. The Leafs are in the playoffs for the first time in four years, and only the second time since 2004.

“I talk to my buddies all the time,” Hyman said. “They're ecstatic, obviously. And they tell me that their emotions are so up and down throughout the games, because they've been such tight games — three overtime games — so it's like nothing they've seen before.”

Defenceman Matt Hunwick said he does not live downtown, and said he generally tries to avoid sports-related television and online outlets. And even then, he said, the atmosphere is evident.

“I don't necessarily have the best perspective on it, but I know the fanbase is excited,” Hunwick said. “I've played for three Original Six teams now, so I know the tradition that these fans want to see these teams bring out.”

The 31-year-old has also played in Boston, and with the New York Rangers.

“It's been special,” Hunwick said. “And playing in Canada, it's a whole other level.”

***

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Sean Fitz-Gerald is the managing editor of The Athletic Toronto. As a reporter, he has covered the Olympics, Pan American Games, Super Bowl, Grey Cup, NHL playoffs and the NBA playoffs. In 2015, he was named sportswriter of the year by Sports Media Canada. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanFitz_Gerald.